NEWSLETTER Laboratory Spring 1999

Louisiana Forest Products NEWSLETTER Laboratory Spring 1999

Training Programs for Louisiana’s Forest Products Industries Needed Owners and managers of Louisiana forest products technical colleges in Canada. This cost is prohibitive to companies have expressed a common concern: “it is most of Louisiana’s secondary processing companies difficult to get quality trained labor for my company”. such as kitchen cabinet manufacturers and crafted This concern in both large and small companies is very furniture producers of which 50% have 4 employees or important to the state industry since it is fundamental to (continued on page 2) building a strong and viable manufacturing economy. The Louisiana forest products industry has estimated it will need approximately 4,000 employees in the next 2-4 years as determined in a study by Dr. Richard Vlosky at the Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory. In addition, the Louisiana Furnishings Industry Associa- tion (LFIA) has estimated that 1,200 jobs are currently available in the secondary processing industry for trained individuals. But sufficient programs are not yet in place. The Governors Forest Industry Development Task Force concluded the following after looking at the current situation in Louisiana. Many high schools have abandoned woodwork- ing programs. High school courses that remain face a number of problems: lack of centralized source for instructor guidance, antiquated textbooks, minimal, old shop equipment, lack of project materials, and high school courses present little or no information on career opportunities in forest products. Few trade schools in the state offer carpentry or furniture building programs. A survey of in-state furniture builders indicates that very few have attended high school or trade school training programs. Most training is done by the companies themselves, which has been estimated by WoodLINKS, to cost be- Dr. Ramsay Smith lectures on wood moisture relationships to tween $6,000 to $20,000 per employee. WoodLINKS the workshop participants. Story on page 3. (Photo by Qinglin is a program set up to work with high schools and Wu.) 2 Training Programs the industry and provide the opportunities for graduates (continued from page 1) to enter this profession. High school interaction will require development of materials for guidance counse- less. Concerns have also arisen that after employees are lors and wood working classes. trained they may be hired away by another company. This issue was recognized by Representative One example mentioned previously for high school Jimmy Long and Senator Mike Smith who are the interaction is WoodLINKS in Canada. This has been initial forces behind an initiative to establish a solid brought to the USA through the auspices of the Wood- wood products curriculum at the Huey P. Long Techni- working Industry Manufacturers Association as cal College in Winnfield, Louisiana. Through their WoodLINKS USA. A kit consisting of a video and CD efforts a task force has been set up by Dr. Wayne has been developed for high school students to attract Meaux, State Director, Louisiana Technical College their interest in this profession. In addition they are System (LTCS). This task force, headed by Mr. Johnnie working with high schools in developing curriculums Smith LTCS, will begin addressing this issue through for working with wood to provide a better basis for development of curriculums and working with Barron, technical college training. Heinberg & Brocato Architects and Engineers to design new buildings proposed for the site. The 15-member With the new structure of Louisiana's Technical task force is made up of the Solid Wood Products College System, the Huey P. Long Technical College Committee and a multi-purpose Instructional Facility will be the emphasis center for forestry and forest Committee. products with other technical colleges providing supporting courses. There are also possibilities being The Solid Wood Products Committee members are explored for those students desiring to further their representatives of the Louisiana Technical College education to transfer credits to a 4-year institution. System (LTCS), the Louisiana Department of Educa- tion, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Other work is also going on in the LFPL to help Forestry (LDA&F), Louisiana Forestry Association address this issue. Dr. Richard Vlosky is conducting a (LFA), Louisiana Furnishings Industry Association survey of the secondary wood processing industry to (LFIA), and the Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory collect information on this sector’s specific needs. This (LFPL). The Solid Wood Products Program consists of is discussed in his article on page 3. three curriculums and equipment for each. These We would very much like to hear from you to include forest products technology being developed by assure success of this project. Please provide your Dr. Ramsay Smith with LFPL and Mr. Michael Buchart ideas, concerns, and specific needs to Dr. Ramsay with LDA&F, forest management technology being Smith (225) 388-4155 or Dr. Richard Vlosky (225) developed by Mr. Don Leunser (LTCS), and forest 388-4527. For a copy of the Governor’s Forest Indus- technology and forest equipment operation being try Development Task Force findings contact Dr. developed by Mr. Clyde Todd with LFA. As an ex- Richard Vlosky. ample, the objective of the forest products technology curriculum is to produce an individual having knowl- edge of the primary and secondary wood-working industries with specific training in wood technology, http:/wwwlfpl.forestry.lsu.edu CAD-operated equipment, wood processing techniques (close tolerance techniques, finishing, drying, gluing, The LFPL home page covers a great deal of etc.), quality control, systems flow technology, good information in an easy-to-use format – publications, work ethic, communication, and supervisory skills. the newest as well as the ones you may have missed A program such as this, however, can only be in the past; a listing of the research projects currently successful if two additional components are included. underway at the Lab and who is conducting them; The first is a strong effort to attract students from high brief biographies of our faculty and a listing of schools to enroll in the program and the second is to current graduate students and the major professors have jobs with appropriate wages waiting for gradu- with whom they are working; the Graduate Hand- ates. This will take a concerted effort by people in the book, with all the information a would-be student industry to help develop programs in their local high needs; and a list of forest products links you may not schools to create awareness of the potential careers in have found. 3 New Study Looks at Employment and Training Needs in the Louisiana Value-Added Wood Products Industry Based on forest products ment in select locations for the pulp objectives of the study are to: 1) industry hiring intention surveys and paper industry, largely devel- determine the current employment conducted by the Louisiana Forest oped by the industry for implemen- structure by activity and skill level Products Laboratory, the number of tation in the technical college in the Louisiana wood products desired new employees forecasted system, there remains a major gap industry, 2) identify unfulfilled over the next 2-4 years totals nearly in the skills needed by today’s training requirements, 3) identify 4,000 positions. Given this employ- value-added forest products indus- impediments to increasing employment demand, the need to develop try sectors. ment in the value-added wood and sustain training programs for products industry, and 4) develop the forest products industry is In order to address these issues, recommendations regarding cur- immediate and critical. Richard P. Vlosky, Forest Products ricula and program development Marketing Program, recently that will lead to increased employ- The current educational system received a $19,000 grant from the ment in rural areas of Louisiana. in Louisiana provides little in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) way of work force training and Rural Studies Program to study The study is underway with all development appropriate for the employment structure and training Louisiana wood products compa- needs of the state’s value-added needs in the Louisiana value-added nies surveyed. Results will be forest products industries. While wood products industry. The available at the end of the year. there are programs under develop-

Third Annual Lumber Drying Workshop Offered

The third annual three-day workshop on Drying Lumber for Quality and Profits was held on February 24, 25, and 26, 1999 in the School of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisher- ies, LSU. The workshop was the result of a joint effort between the Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory and Louisiana Cooperative Exten- sion Service at LSU to enhance value-added wood processing in Louisiana through improved drying technology. Twelve people representing various wood products companies from the South attended the workshop. So far, the LSU drying A group picture of the participants at the workshop. (Photo by Ramsay Smith.) workshop has reached over 80 individuals representing more For more information on this workshop or future lumber drying workshops, please contact Dr. Qinglin Wu at the LFPL (225) 388-8369 or Dr. Todd Shupe, Louisiana than 50 wood products compa- Cooperative Extension Service (225) 388-4225. nies in the South. 4

LSU Forestry Club Students Go to Forestry Conclave

Every year, the LSU Forestry Beauregard near Pineville in mid- year. Anyone interested in making Club (formally known as the or late March 2000. donations should contact him at Student Chapter of the Society of (225) 388-4242 or Dr. G.H. American Foresters at LSU) partici- Dr. de Hoop added that NC Weaver (LA Tech) at (318) 257- pates in a competition against 12 State raised $9,000 in donations 4985. They will pass on the perti- other southern forestry schools. this year to host Conclave and keep nent information to the students, Known as a Conclave, the students the cost affordable to students. A who will begin contacts next Fall. compete in about 20 events such as similar amount will be needed next crosscut sawing, bow sawing, pole climbing, log burling, log chop- ping, axe throwing, diameter estimation, pole classification, compass and pacing, tree identifi- Louisiana Furnishings Industry Association cation, and wood identification. Contributes to Growth of State's LFPL’s Dr. Niels de Hoop accompanied the Forestry Club as Secondary Forest Products Companies faculty advisor to North Carolina State University, who hosted the The Louisiana Furnishings Industry Association (LFIA) is preparing Conclave this year. LSU’s fifth the way for our state’s secondary forest products companies to continue place performance was repeated their growth and expansion. Here are several current and recently com- from last year (LA Tech placed pleted projects: sixth). Woody Johnson and Brad Duncan won first place again in the Over 2,000 sq. ft. of Louisiana-produced furniture and log roll by rolling a tapered log furnishings were displayed at the Houston Home & Garden over a 50-foot course and back in Show. 38 seconds. Wayne Higginbotham won first place in the knife throw. Nearly 6,000 sq. ft. of Louisiana furniture and furnishings Aaron Poole won second place in occupied the Superdome for the recently completed New compass and pacing while Len Orleans Home & Garden Show. Neumann and Natalie Snider achieved third place in wildlife Negotiations are near completion on permanent space at the identification. “The competition Dallas Market Center. was really tough,” commented club president Jacob Donelan. “Arkan- The Ponchatoula showroom is receiving a 1600 sq. ft. addition sas, NC State, Virginia Tech, and of showroom space to accommodate $250,000 of member’s Stephen F. Austin came well merchandise. prepared for every event. It’s hard to break into that group, but I hope The May issue of Southern Living magazine will include a we can do it next year.” feature story on th LFIA’s Ponchatoula showroom.

“Next year, the club’s chal- A woodworker-training program involving high school lenge will be much greater. It will students is being developed in conjunction with the statewide be LSU’s turn to host Conclave,” School-to-Work program. said Dr. de Hoop. “This will be an enormous amount of work for the students. LA Tech has graciously If you would like information on any of these projects, contact the offered to help.” Tentative plans LFIA at (504) 386-0471. LFIA's showroom is located at 495 SW Rail- are to hold Conclave at Camp road Avenue, Ponchatoula, LA. Technical Report LFPL Researchers Turning Louisiana’s 5 Available Wood and Ag Residues into Firelogs Interior-type plywood is widely From wood waste to valuable product – that’s exactly what LFPL used in construction of furniture, researchers are doing. They have taken dry wood residues from an archi- cabinets, counter-tops, etc. The tectural millworking firm, combined them with soybean residues, and made integrity of such construction is a firelog that looks promising. frequently dependent upon the connections between its compo- There are several commercial firelogs available for homeowners who nents. For maximum strength and want a quick and easy flame in their fireplace. However, most of them use stability, each connection requires a petroleum-based wax that sometimes builds up deposits in chimneys and a design that is adapted to the aggravates air pollution prob- fastener type and to the strength lems. Drs. Ramsay Smith and properties of the individual struc- Niels de Hoop are leading the tural members. Ultimate fastener way in developing an “environ- withdrawal loads for plywood mentally friendly” firelog. joints depend on fastener type Substantial assistance is being (screw or nail), fastening direction provided by Jimmy Houston (face or edge), panel moisture (Graduate Assistant), Mike content, and wood species used to Buchart of Agriculture Commis- manufacture the plywood. sioner Bob Odom’s staff, Dr. Art Sterling of LSU’s Depart- Dr. Qinglin Wu recently com- ment of Chemical Engineering, pleted a study on assessing the and Dr. Chun-yun Hse of the influence of moisture, fastening Southern Forest Experiment direction, screw type, screw pen- Station. Initial funding was etration depth, and wood species provided by the Southeastern on the screw withdrawal load of Regional Biomass Energy furniture-grade southern pine Program (SERBEP). (Pinus spp.) and sweetgum (Liq- uidambar styraciflua L.) plywood. This type of product can be It was shown that the screw with- made with a simple machine at drawal loads from both panel face low cost, making it attractive for small businesses. Anyone inter- James Houston, Jr. (left) and Dr. Niels de and edge decreased in general with Hoop are shown preparing test burns of new increases in panel moisture content ested in the project is encour- formulations of firelogs. The fireplace insert within the hygroscopic range. For aged to contact Dr. Smith or Dr. has been modified so that air pollutants can each type of plywood tested, the de Hoop at (225) 388-4255. be monitored. (Photo by John Wozniak.) screw withdrawal loads from the panel face were significantly larger LSU Students Graduating in Programs Related to Wood Products than the values from the panel edge. At higher moisture content Charles Cooper James T. Houston, Jr. levels, edge screw-holding capaci- BS and MS in Forest Management. MS in forest products, BS in Animal Research Area: Sawing Technology Science. Research in biomass utiliza- ties deteriorated more rapidly than Available for employment opportunities tion, coursework in forest products, face screw-holding capacities. For in forestry operations, quality control, animal systems, chemistry, and plywood with comparable proper- and/or sales in the Baton Rouge and biology. Available August 1999. ties (e.g. panel thickness, bending surrounding area. (225) 756-4461 (225) 293-3812 e-mail:[email protected] e-mail: [email protected]. stiffness, and strength), wood Christopher A. Dupuy species (i.e. southern pine versus Kofi Poku MS in Forest Products Marketing. sweetgum) had an insignificant MS Forest Products Marketing. Thesis: Electronic Data Interchange in effect on screw withdrawal loads. Background in Natural Resources the Wood Products Industry: Current Management and Wood Science and Status and Projected Trends. Interests in Thus, sweetgum plywood is as Technology with experience in timber information technologies (IT), electronic good as pine plywood in screw- processing, export marketing, and data interchange (EDI), and conducting holding strength. For a copy of the management. Graduating August 1999. marketing research. (225) 292-4984 report, please call Dr. Qinglin Wu (225) 388-4133 e-mail:[email protected] e-mail [email protected] at (225) 388-8369. 6 Louisiana Forest Products Calendar of Events and Workshops Laboratory LFPL FACULTY & STAFF LSU W. Ramsay Smith - Program Leader June 27 Society of Wood Science and Technology 1999 Annual Niels de Hoop - Environmental and Safety Meeting. “The Roles of Wood Science & Technology in Rich Vlosky - Forest Products Marketing Forest Sustainability”. Held in the Boise Convention Qinglin Wu - Wood Processing Elvin T. Choong - Wood Physics Center, Boise, Idaho. For more information, contact Vicki Pat Lefeaux - Chief Clerk II Herian at (608) 231-9347. JoAnn Doucet - Research Associate LA Tech Mark Gibson - Material Properties June 27-30 53rd Annual Forest Products Society Meeting. To be held George Grozdits - Research Associate at The Grove Hotel and Boise Center, Boise, Idaho. For more information, contact the Forest Products Society at (608) Louisiana State University Agricultural Center 231-1361. William B. Richardson, Chancellor Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station R. Larry Rogers, Vice Chancellor and Director May-Sept. Louisiana Furnishings Industry Association (LFIA) holds School of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries regular monthly meetings at the Ponchatoula headquarters. If Norwin E. Linnartz, Acting Director Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory you are interested, call LFIA at (504) 386-0471 for the date W. Ramsay Smith, Program Leader and time. Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Building Baton Rouge, LA 70803-6202 TEL (504) 388-4155 FAX (504) 388-4251 http://wwwlfpl.forestry.lsu.edu LFPL Newsletter Graphic Design, Barbara Corns

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